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Qwiker Liquor Expands Beyond New York Base

Beverage alcohol delivery service Qwiker Liquor has begun to expand beyond its New York City base. The firm, which started last summer in Manhattan working with a dozen local retailers, has struck its first deals in Chicago with retailers willing to adhere to Qwiker’s one-hour delivery formula. Company founder and CEO Aniket Shah tells SND he’s in negotiations with retailers in Boston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and expects to enter those markets soon.

“We want to be in 40 cities within two years,” Shah says. “The online purchasing of alcohol hasn’t been very strong up until now, particularly to local audiences. We want to change that.”

Qwiker stocks no products of its own, but charges its retail partners a small commission—playing a role similar to that which GrubHub has with restaurants. It asks that each partner maintain its own web site with a broad selection of products and prices and be willing to deliver on short notice. Its partners in New York include Vino Fine Wine & Spirits, Wine Therapy, Blue Streak Wines & Spirits and Gramercy Wine & Spirits. Shah is publicizing his service, which encompasses wine, spirits and beer, via social media and sponsorships of special events. “On a typical Friday or Saturday in New York we’re taking close to 200 orders,” he says. “That number will rise as we become better known.”